Thanks to Viscount Newport for presenting prizes at the Serpentine today. Their family is important historically, having played a major role in the creation of Britain's canal system.
Alexander’s role yesterday was to present the prizes for the Paul Bridgeman relay race. Eight teams of the Serpentine’s finest swimmers contested the 4 x 50 yard freestyle race. Split into two semi finals, Nick Adams’s team honestly contested and won their heat leaving their rivals in their wake. In the second semi-final, George Cselko’s team qualified for the final in last place thanks to George deciding to swim to Scotland, then south to the Isle of Wight, and finally losing his goggles on the return leg. A handicap to swim without goggles did not go unnoticed by Dani Lobo, the handicapper. The final resulted in Cselko, Ted, Sean Kelly and Mark Fabik, coasting home to victory. Had Boris squeezed a bit more distance from his final 25 yards, he could have pipped Nick Adams on the line. Reality was that Nick just inched second place ahead of Boris.
Thanks to Norm Jones for plying us with improbable tales about Commander Paul Bridgeman, a relation of Viscount Newport. And especial thanks to Alexander for presenting the beautiful prizes.
JohnTierneyswim at live dot com
